Will Day Injury Update: What Happened To Will Day? When Will He Return?
Rugby and footy fans know how much a single injury can shift a whole club’s season. It’s been a frustrating ride for Hawthorn supporters (and anyone rooting for Will Day) the past few months—one lengthy recovery that’s tested both patience and optimism. Here’s an in-depth update on the saga, where things stand now, and what’s next for Day.
What Happened To Will Day?
Will Day’s 2025 started great—then suddenly derailed in early April. After a red-hot start with strong midfield numbers, scans revealed a stress fracture in the navicular bone of his right foot, the same spot he'd hurt before. The news was bad: surgery was needed, along with a rehab block stretching deep into the season. Fans and coaches pretty much braced for the worst, being told he'd be gone for at least four months, maybe longer if there were setbacks.
The raw footage from training sessions showed Day putting in the work behind the scenes. He stayed close to the club, often seen at matches but not risking anything that might jeopardize a clean return. Hawthorn made it clear from the outset—no sense rushing back a star if it risks his career longevity.
On X/Twitter, @mattforrest29: "Will Day returned in a moon boot after his foot was stomped on during the match, but the Hawks are hopeful there's no further damage to his navicular."
On Instagram, @everythinghawkshq: "Will Day returned to Melbourne with a limp and moon boot on his surgically repaired foot after being stomped on in the game. The Hawks are anxiously waiting for an update."
https://www.instagram.com/p/DM1hd7whqi9/
Latest Injury Update: Will Day’s Road to Recovery
There have been a ton of whispers and headlines, but here’s how it unfolded: After undergoing surgery, Day stuck to a carefully crafted program with the club’s medical team. By mid-July, things were trending up. Hawthorn insiders reported he was back to full training loads, showing great fitness, and steadily ticking boxes each week. Goals shifted from “sometime late in the year” to a specific target: Round 20 against Carlton, set for July 24 at the MCG.
Only a week before that, club high performance staff gave a positive report—Day was training at full intensity, participating in match simulations, and handling even the contact drills with no reported setbacks. Club officials said repeatedly they’d wait as long as needed for him to be “ready to perform, not just ready to play,” but confidence was clearly building.
On Instagram, hawktalkpod: "Will Day returned to Melbourne in a moon boot after his left foot was stomped on during the Crows match. The Hawks hope there's no further damage to his previous navicular injury."
https://www.instagram.com/p/DM1dgQSyY3d/
Setback or Return?
Day joined the team in media sessions, talking openly about how much he'd missed the game and how hard he’d worked to get back. But just days later, concern flared again. After Hawthorn’s clash with Adelaide, multiple reports stated Day returned home walking with a heavy limp and was spotted in a moon boot—the same leg and foot that’s haunted him all year. That sparked instant fears among fans: was it a re-injury, or just post-game precaution?
It’s not official yet if Day has to extend his time out or if it was simply being extra cautious after his return to play. Medical staff are doing follow-up scans and he’s awaiting further assessment over the next few days. So it’s a classic wait-and-see—fans biting their nails, coaches crossing fingers.
On X/Twitter, @cleary_mitch: "Will Day returned with a limp and moon boot on his surgically repaired foot after being stomped on during the game. He'll be assessed in the next 48 hours."
When will Will Day Return?
Before the Adelaide game, it looked like Day had timed his recovery perfectly: Round 20 was target, and—barring last-minute issues—he was back in Hawthorn’s senior squad, aiming for a strong finish and possibly finals. If his return is held up again because of the Adelaide setback, no one at Hawthorn is putting a timeline on it until the next round of medical updates arrives.
The optimistic scenario is that it's just foot soreness from intense match play after so long out, and he’s back within a week or two—maybe Round 21 if reports are favorable. The pessimistic scenario? He could be out longer if there’s a setback and the scans show something new. The club hasn’t ruled out either, just stressing they're proceeding with "caution".
On X/Twitter, @Sammy__Edmund" "Will Day returned to Melbourne in a moon boot after his left foot was stomped on during the match. The club hopes there's no further damage to his navicular injury."
Analysis: What This Means for Hawthorn and Fans
Honestly, Day’s absence has forced Hawthorn’s midfield group to work overtime and test younger players under more pressure than ideal. But the big takeaway is Hawthorn’s continued belief in its medical process and the patience they’ve shown resting a young star, not risking another break.
It’s clear Day’s story isn’t just about one injury—it’s typical of the ups and downs of modern sport, especially for key players who carry expectations and hopes on their shoulders.
For now, “Will Day Injury Update” means he’s right on the edge of returning—potentially as early as this week or next, but only if his latest limp and moon boot are precautionary, not a sign of another setback. What happened to Will Day? He fought through a nightmare foot injury and surgery, did everything right in rehab, and looks set to help Hawthorn at season’s critical final stretch—pending final medical sign-off. When will he return? Soon, fans hope, but only if doctors confirm he’s actually fit, not just brave.
Keep your eyes on the next official Hawthorn injury list and press conference—the answer will be there soon enough. The club’s not rushing. Neither should anyone else. It’s a tough wait, but no one wants short-term gain at the risk of long-term pain for Will Day
